For the Commercial Rehabilitation & Adaptive Reuse of the Higgs-Coble-Helms House, 417 North Blount Street, Raleigh
Originally constructed in 1878, the Higgs-Coble-Helms House is a Raleigh Historic Landmark and a contributing structure to the North Blount Street National Register Historic District. Italianate in overall style, the two-story, wood frame house has the asymmetrical composition typical of Queen Anne dwellings. Second-story windows are capped by pedimented surrounds supported by brackets echoed throughout the house. The house features the only tin roof on North Blount Street.
After serving as a residence for nearly a hundred years, the State of North Carolina purchased the historic house in the 1970s using the structure as office space until the mid 2000s. The structure sat vacant and neglected for over twelve years before it was finally sold to its current owners. Renovated (not restored) many times over its life, none of the renovations, unfortunately, were sensitive to the house’s original Victorian style and quality. A major renovation – sometime after 1950 – was needed after fire destroyed the building’s iconic tower along with significant character defining elements of the front façade. Because the structure was vacant for so long, significant structural and finish repair was required both inside and outside the house. The current owner sought to restore the structure to its original beauty while converting it for viable business use meeting modern life-safety and accessibility standards. As part of the project, the adjacent Andrews-Duncan Carriage House was also purchased and is being fully restored for use as a residence.
Addressing the exterior of the house, an ill-proportioned addition was removed and the façade returned to its original configuration. Non-historic windows were replaced with appropriate wood windows, the tin roof was repaired and refinished, and all deteriorated woodwork was repaired or replaced. On the inside, modern interior partitions were removed and all damaged woodwork and finishes fully restored. The site was also refreshed with historically-sensitive plantings; and, the existing parking area behind the house was paved as well as significantly improved. The building now serves as a wellness hub, housing a medical clinic, physical therapist, and counseling group.
The restoration of the historic Higgs-Coble-Helms House has preserved this historic landmark for future generations and has contributed to the invigoration of Raleigh’s North Blount Street Historic District.
The Board of Directors of Capital Area Preservation, Inc. is pleased to present a 2018 Anthemion Award to Blount & Dargan Williams; Clearscapes, PA; Metrocon, Inc.; BDB Interior Design; Dean Taker; Chris Godwin for the Commercial Rehabilitation & Adaptive Reuse of the Higgs-Coble-Helms House, 417 North Blount Street, Raleigh.